[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 110 (Wednesday, September 4, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8204-S8205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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   SENATE RESOLUTION 321--COMMEMORATING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 
  FOUNDING OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM (AIHEC)

  Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself, Mr. Dorgan, Mr. Murkowski, Mr. Domenici, 
Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Conrad, and Ms. Stabenow) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs:

       Whereas the United States of America and Indian Tribes have 
     a unique legal and political relationship as expressed in the 
     U.S. Constitution, Treaties, Federal statutes and executive 
     orders, court decisions, and course of dealing.
       Whereas the United States has committed itself to national 
     educational excellence including excellence in institutions 
     that educate American Indian and Alaska Native children and 
     adults.
       Whereas Tribal Colleges and Universities are fully 
     accredited community-based educational institutions devoted 
     to the education, welfare and economic advancement of 
     American Indian communities.
       Whereas, the populations in the communities served by 
     Tribal Colleges and Universities are among the poorest of the 
     nation, and the services provided by the Tribal Colleges and 
     Universities enable students to train for and obtain jobs 
     that offer social and economic stability, and serve to reduce 
     welfare dependence in these communities.
       Whereas, Tribal Colleges and Universities are chronically 
     underfunded, and in addition to offering their communities 
     higher education opportunities, also function as community 
     centers, libraries, childcare centers, tribal archives, 
     career and business centers, economic development centers, 
     and public meeting places.
       Whereas in 1970 President Nixon issued his now-famous 
     ``Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs'' rejecting 
     the failed policies of assimilation and termination and 
     heralding the new era of Indian Self Determination.
       Whereas in 1972 six Tribal Colleges established the 
     American Indian Higher Education Consortium to empower its 
     member institutions through collective action, construct a 
     national support and communications network, and assist 
     Indian communities and Native people in the field of 
     educational achievement, while nurturing, advocating, and 
     protecting American Indian history, culture, art and 
     language.
       Whereas The American Indian Higher Education Consortium 
     consists of 32 Tribal Colleges and Universities located in 12 
     states that enroll approximately 30,000 full-and part-time 
     students from over 250 Federally-recognized Indian Tribes.
       Whereas on July 3, 2002, President Bush issued Executive 
     Order 13270 ensuring that Tribal Colleges and Universities 
     are more

[[Page S8205]]

     fully recognized and integrated into the American family of 
     institutions of higher education.
       Whereas tribal Colleges and Universities provide access to 
     information technology critical to full participation in 
     America's economic, political and social life, bridging great 
     distances and transforming learning environment.
       Whereas, Tribal Colleges and Universities and their Native 
     communities continue to play an integral role in American 
     Indian education including in assisting in the implementation 
     of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002. Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, that the Senate of the United States recognizes 
     the essential role Tribal Colleges and Universities play in 
     American Indian communities, honors the vision and commitment 
     of the founders of the American Indian Higher Education 
     Consortium, and celebrates 30 successful years of 
     implementing that vision for the benefit of American Indian 
     peoples across the United States.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, I am pleased to be joined today by 
Senators Dorgan, Murkowski, Domenici, Bingaman, Conrad and Stabenow in 
submitting a resolution to commemorate the establishment of the 
American Indian Higher Education Consortium that took place in the fall 
of 1972.
  In the late 1960s Indian people began to realize that their futures 
depended more on their own keen insights, beliefs and actions than on 
those of the Federal Government or other communities.
  This phenomenon was assisted in 1970 when President Nixon issued his 
``Special Message to Congress on Indian Affairs'' which rejected the 
tried and failed policies of assimilation and termination. Nixon's 
message launched the era of Indian Self Determination with a renewed 
focus on local, tribal decision making and economic self sufficiency.
  In 1972 six Indian tribal colleges joined forces to form the American 
Indian Higher Education Consortium, AIHEC, with the goal of creating a 
network of tribally-controlled institutions of higher education.
  The founders of the AIHEC envisioned that through collective action, 
they could better assist Indian communities and Native people in the 
field of education and vocational education.
  Thirty years later, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium 
has grown to include 32 Tribal Colleges and Universities located in 12 
States with an enrollment of 30,000 students from over 250 federally 
recognized Indian Tribes.
  Tribal Colleges and Universities provide quality higher education to 
Indian students and have become the ``hubs'' of a sort for accessing 
state-of-the-art information technology. It is important to realize 
that in addition to providing educational opportunities for their 
communities, these institutions function as community centers, 
libraries, childcare centers, tribal archives, career and business 
centers, economic development centers and public meeting places.
  The communities served by Tribal Colleges and Universities are among 
the poorest in the Nation. The training and education provided by 
Tribal Colleges and Universities allows Native students to prepare for 
and obtain jobs that offer a decent salary with benefits, and help 
reduce the trap of dependency that has befallen so many Native people.
  On July 3, 2002 President Bush issued Executive Order 13270 
recognizing the enduring contributions of Indian Tribal Colleges and 
Universities and hailing their success on a wide range of issues.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution which 
recognizes the critical role Tribal Colleges and Universities play in 
American Indian communities, honors the vision and commitment of the 
founds of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, and 
celebrates 30 successful years of implementing that vision for the 
benefit of American Indian peoples across the United States.
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   SENATE RESOLUTION 320--HONORING THE VALLEY SPORTS AMERICAN LITTLE 
  LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM FROM LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY FOR WINNING THE 2002 
                  LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES

  Mr. BUNNING (for himself and Mr. McConnell) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

       Whereas on August 25, 2002 the Valley Sports American 
     little League baseball team from Louisville, Kentucky won the 
     Little League Baseball World Series;
       Whereas this is the first time a Kentucky team has won the 
     Little League Baseball World Series in the 56-year history of 
     the series;
       Whereas the Valley Sports team had an impressive and 
     overall undefeated record of 24 wins and 0 losses, including 
     4 victories in the playoffs, and winning the championship 
     game;
       Whereas the Valley Sports team players, Aaron Alvey, Justin 
     Elkins, Ethan Henry, Alex Hornback, Wes Jenkins, Casey 
     Jordan, Shane Logsdon, Blaine Madden, Zach Osborne, Jake 
     Remines, Josh Robinson and Wes Walden, showed tremendous 
     dedication and sportsmanship throughout the season toward the 
     goal of winning the Little League baseball world 
     championship;
       Whereas the Valley Sports team was managed by Troy Osborne, 
     and coached by Keith Elkins and Dan Roach, who all 
     demonstrated professionalism and respect for their players 
     and the game of baseball;
       Whereas the Valley Sports team fans from Kentucky showed 
     enthusiasm, support and courtesy for the game of baseball, 
     and all the players and coaches;
       Whereas in the 56th Little League Baseball World Series 
     championship game the Valley Sports American baseball team 
     faced the Sendai Higashi Japanese baseball team and came away 
     victorious by a score of 1-0: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that the Senate honors the Valley Sports American 
     Little League baseball team from Louisville, Kentucky for 
     winning the 2002 Little League World Series Championship.

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